Football with Blanket Inside

ABSTRACT

A toy product comprising a soft, plush football having a removable blanket contained therein such that the football, when stuffed with a blanket, is approximately the same size, shape, and weight as a real football, and is therefore, capable of being used as a typical football, but safer for children. At a picnic, or “tailgate,” the football can be unzipped to reveal the blanket, which can be used to keep the user warm and protected from the elements, The football of the present invention has been designed so that the blanket functions, in part, much as air would function in an actual football—to occupy the interior space of the football so that it is aerodynamic and can be used to play the game or toss the ball back and forth. The invention described herein may also be used as a novelty item or promotional product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/111,973, entitled “Football with Blanket InsideNovelty,” filed Feb. 4, 2015, which application is incorporated in itsentirety here by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a product comprising a plush football having ablanket contained therein. The football, when stuffed with a blanket, isintended to be sized substantially the same, and weigh substantially thesame, as a real football such that it is capable of being tossed aboutand played with like a typical football. In addition, if a user of thefootball is attending an event such as a picnic, or “tailgating” at alive sporting event, the football can be unzipped to reveal the blanket,which can be used to keep the user warm at a picnic or sporting event orthe like.

BACKGROUND

American football is a hugely popular sport both in the United Statesand abroad. From a very early age, many children in the United Statesbecome involved in pee-wee football leagues, Pop Warner leagues, highschool football, and the like. Those who do not participate in organizedfootball may “play” football in other ways, such as tossing a footballback and forth, playing informal games of “touch” football or flagfootball, and the like.

While organized football at the high school, collegiate, andprofessional levels use footballs having standardized sizes and weightsand made of particular materials (e.g., leather “pigskin”), to make thegame accessible to a wider audience, footballs are made in manydifferent sizes and weights, and of different materials (e.g., rubber,plastic, or spongy Nerf material), Thus, children and adults of all agesand abilities can enjoy tossing a football or playing football in asetting less formal than children's leagues, high school football,college football, etc.

In the United States, football, particularly college and professionalfootball is big business. Aside from the millions of persons who attendcollege and professional football games each year in person, there is ahuge market of football accessories, clothing, and memorabilia forfans—hats, shirts, jerseys, jackets, and sweatshirts to name a few.Virtually any type of article associated with the game of football canbe emblazoned with a name of a team and/or a team's logo, and sold tofans as memorabilia, collectibles, or for regular use, The inventiondescribed herein can be similarly used.

In the United States, there is also a large “promotional products”market—i.e., products that can be given out by a company for brandingand promotional purposes. The list of products that can be used forpromotional purposes is virtually endless. If a company hosts a golftournament for example, it can give out golf towels with the company'sname and logo printed on the towel. For many years, pharmaceuticalcompanies used pens as promotional products. Other companies give away,folders organized with pockets for business cards, a sleeve for a tabletof paper, and a slot for pen.

Taking advantage of the popularity of American football, and the needfor products that can be used for promoting one's company, using afootball as a promotional product has the potential to be very popular.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a toy comprising a soft, plushfootball having a blanket contained therein. The football, when stuffedwith a blanket, is approximately the same size, shape, and weight as areal football, and it is therefore, capable of being used, for example,by children or in family settings, to play football (e.g., in thebackyard or the park) or to merely toss a football back and forth forpure enjoyment.

In addition, the present invention comprising a soft, plush footballhaving a blanket contained therein may be used as a blanket to keep aperson or persons warm. For example, if a person is at a picnic, or“tailgating” at a live sporting event, the football can be unzipped toreveal the blanket, which can be used to keep the user warm.

In one embodiment, the blanket may be completely removed from the insideof the football. In another embodiment, the blanket may be removed fromthe inside of the football except for a portion of one edge of theblanket that remains attached via stitching, hook and loop fasteners,snaps, or the like, to an inside portion of the football.

In the embodiments of the invention described herein, the football hasbeen designed so that the blanket uniquely functions, in part, much asair would function in an actual football—i.e., to fill the interiorspace of the football and make the outer surface of the football taut sothat it is aerodynamic and can be used to play the game or toss the ballback and forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the presentinvention with the zipper in the closed configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the present inventionwith the zipper in the open configuration and the blanket in theunattached configuration.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention with the blanket in the unattached configuration and removedfrom the football.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the present inventionwith the zipper in the open configuration and the blanket in theattached configuration.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention with the blanket in the attached configuration and removedfrom the football.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendedfigures is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodimentsof the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms inwhich the present invention may be constructed or utilized. Thedescription sets forth the configuration of the invention describedherein in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to beunderstood, however, that the same or equivalent components and uses maybe accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to beencompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

As shown n FIG. 1, the invention described herein comprises an objectthat is substantially a prolate spheroid 1 (also referred to as afootball), and in particular, a prolate spheroid shell defining a majoraxis M, the prolate spheroid having opposite distal ends 12, 14, and aneccentricity substantially the same as, in other words, approximatelyequivalent to an American football, such as those used in the NationalFootball League. Thus, the prolate spheroid 1 may have a length from onedistal end 12 to the other distal end 14 of approximately 10 inches toapproximately 12 inches.

The prolate spheroid shell 1 may have a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface, the second surface defining acavity, wherein the prolate spheroid shell comprises a pair of edgesthat defines an opening into the cavity through which a blanket sized tosubstantially occupy the cavity can be inserted and removed from theprolate spheroid shell 1. When the blanket 47 is stuffed into thecavity, the soft, pliable prolate spheroid shell 1 becomes taut. Inaddition, the combination of the prolate spheroid shell 1 and theblanket 47 may have a weight that is approximately equivalent to that ofa standard football. Therefore, the weight of the prolate spheroid shell1 and the blanket 47 combined may be approximately 12 to approximately20 ounces, and preferably approximately 14 to approximately 18 ounces. Afastener may be operatively connected to the pair of edges to close theopening. For example, a zipper, hook and loop fastener, snap button, andthe like may be operatively connected to the pair of edges to fasten thepair of edges closed.

As the present embodiment of the invention is intended to mimic anAmerican football, a longitudinal lace 11 may be affixed along at leasta portion of the first surface parallel to the major axis M. Preferably,two longitudinal laces 11, 13 may be a fixed along at least a portion ofthe first surface parallel to the major axis M. In addition, a pluralityof transverse cross-laces 15 perpendicular to the one or twolongitudinal laces 11, 13 may be provided, each transverse cross-lace 15intermittently spaced apart along the longitudinal laces 11, 13.

In the preferred embodiment, the first and second surfaces that definethe prolate spheroid shell 1 (i.e. the football) may be comprised of afirst top panel 3, a second top panel 5, a first bottom panel 7, and asecond bottom panel 9 (not shown in FIG. 1). Fewer or more panels can beused to create the prolate spheroid shell 1. Since the prolate spheroidshell 1 is intended to be the equivalent of a football, the panels 3, 7,9 may be generally lens-shaped panels.

The first top panel 3 and second top panel 5 may be fastened togethervia laces. For example, at least one first longitudinal lace 11 (e.g.,string, rubber, leather, and other similar material having aconfiguration generally like a shoelace) being affixed along at least aportion of the first top panel 3 at or near the edge of the first toppanel 3 closest to where it meets the second top panel 5 via one or moreholes in general proximity to the distal ends 12, 14 of the major axis Mof the football 1, and at least one second longitudinal lace 13 (orsimilar object—e.g., string, rubber—having a configuration like ashoelace) being affixed along at least a portion of the second top panel5 at or near the edge of the second top panel 5 closest to where itmeets the first top panel 3 via one or more holes in general proximityto the distal ends 12, 14 of the major axis M of the football 1; and,wherein a plurality of transverse cross-laces 15 perpendicular to andsurrounding the first longitudinal lace 11 and second longitudinal lace13 serve to join first top panel 3 and second top p el 5. The transversecross-laces 15 may encircle the first and second longitudinal lacesthrough holes (not shown) through which the transverse cross-laces 15are inserted. Note, relative terminology, such as top and bottom, arenot rhea n to be limiting. These terms are used for ease of descriptiononly with the top arbitrarily designated as the side having the laces.

The football described herein may further comprise a plurality ofstripes 17, 19, 21, 23 located adjacent to the distal ends 12, 14 of themajor avis M of the football 1 on the first top panel 3 and second toppanel 5. The stripes can be observed in broken lines n FIG. 2. Anembodiment in which the stripes are present on the football is similarlycontemplated.

The football described herein may contain one or more logos or insignias25, 27 (shown in broken lines in e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) on one or more ofthe four panels 3, 5, 7, 9, Thus, the invention described herein may beused for advertising, branding, marketing, and promotional purposes suchthat the football can be given out as a promotional item, or sold asmemorabilia or a souvenir at, for example, sporting events.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the football describedherein may be made of a soft, pliable material such as cloth, cotton,wool, nylon, polyester, or the like, which forms a plush, blanket-likesurface. Preferably, the material is non-elastic. The outer surface ofthe football is preferably soft and plush like a blanket or soft towel.

The inner portion of the football described herein may be comprised ofan interior lining 49 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) fastened to the interior ofthe football that is generally coextensive with the interior surface ofthe football, and may be made of a pliable material such as nylon,polyester, or the like. The interior lining 49 preferably comprises agenerally smooth, inwardly facing surface in order to facilitatepressing or stuffing blanket into the interior portion of the football.In some embodiments, the interior lining 49 can also be made of morerugged, durable material as well, such as leather, rubber, nylon, andother types of weatherproof material (e.g. waterproof, water repellant,and windproof material, or material treated with waterproofing, waterrepellant, or wind repellant compounds). In some embodiments, theinterior lining 49 may be made of a durable material and the outersurface may be made of a soft, pliable material that is comfortable tothe touch. Therefore, if the user wants a soft, pliable surface, forexample, to use as a pillow or for young children to play with, then theuser can have the soft, pliable surface as the outside surface. On theother hand, if the user wants a durable surface for older children oradults to play with the football, then the user can turn the football 1inside out to expose the durable interior lining 49 as the outersurface. In other words, the football 1 may be reversible so that theouter surface can become the inner surface and the inner surface canbecome the outer surface.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom surface of the invention describedherein contains a non-separating zipper 35, although other types ofsuitable fasteners are contemplated as well, such as hook and loopfasteners, buttons, magnets, hooks, and the like. Zipper 35 spans asubstantial portion of the major axis M of the underside of thefootball, and may be located between, or at the junction of, firstbottom panel 7 and second bottom panel 9. In other words, zipper 35 mayspan from substantially one distal end 12 to substantially the oppositedistal end 14.

Zipper 35 closes adjacent to zipper reinforcement portion 33 at one endof the longitudinal axis of the underside of the football, and may belocated between, or at the junction of, first bottom panel 7 and secondbottom panel 9.

In the closed configuration, zipper 35 comprises pull tab 37, slider 39,and chain 41. In the open configuration of zipper 35, a first set ofteeth 43 and a second set of teeth 45 are revealed (as shown in FIG. 5).In some embodiments, a second pull tab may be connected to the slider 39on the opposite side so that the football 1 can be closed if thefootball 1 is turned inside out and the interior lining 49 becomes theouter surface.

As shown in FIG. 5, when zipper 35 is in the open configuration, blanket47 is stuffed inside the football, and occupies substantially all of theinterior space of football 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, when zipper 35 is in the open configuration, blanket47, in one embodiment of the invention described herein, can becompletely removed from the interior portion of football 1 to serve as astand alone item. As also shown in FIG. 6, once the blanket is removed,an interior surface or interior lining 49 of football 1 is exposed.

As with the exterior surface of football 1, one or both main surfaces ofthe blanket may comprise a logo of a sports team, a company, or thelike, as shown with logo 51 on a surface of blanket 47. The logo 51 maybe printed, embroidered, sewn, or otherwise applied onto blanket 47 in amanner well-known in the art.

The use of the blanket is easily understood. By way of example, if aperson attends a picnic, it nay be desirable to toss the football withanother person while the football is in the closed configuration withblanket 47 stuffed inside. If, however, the temperature is sufficientlylow at the picnic, the blanket can be removed and used to keep a personwarm. Football 1 could be used in the same way by a person “tailgating”at a football game.

As shown in FIG. 7, second embodiment of the invention described hereincomprises a football 101 having substantially the same elements andproperties as the previously described embodiment regarding football 1.For example, as shown in football 101 may comprise a first bottom panel107, a second bottom panel 109, zipper reinforcement portion 133, afirst set of teeth 143, and a second set of teeth 145. Distal ends 112,114 of the major axis M of the football 101 are also shown.

Not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, but present in the invention shown anddescribed related to football 101 are first top panel, second top panel105, a first longitudinal lace, a second longitudinal lace, a pluralityof transverse cross-laces, a plurality of stripes (a portion of stripe123 is shown in FIG. 8), logos or insignias, zipper, and chain, all ofwhich are disposed and arranged as described above with respect tofootball 1.

It should be understood that the properties of the elements of thesecond embodiment of the invention described herein related to football101, even if not explicitly shown or described, are the same as forthose described above related to the first embodiment of the inventiondescribed herein related to football 1.

In the second embodiment of the invention described herein, however, asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, blanket 147 (which in the closed configurationof football 101 occupies substantially all of the interior space offootball 101), is not completely removable from the interior of football101. Rather, at least a portion of one end of blanket 147 (referred toas attachment edge 153) is affixed to a portion of interior surface 149via sewing, gluing, or the like, or detachably connected to a portion ofthe interior surface 149 via zipper, fastener snaps, hook and loopfasteners, magnets, or the like. This arrangement, while functionallysimilar to the first embodiment of the invention described above, hasthe advantage of possibly avoiding loss of the football should the itemsbe completely separated.

This invention is contemplated, in part, to be used by children, andchildren have a propensity to lose things. Thus, in the secondembodiment of the invention described herein, wherein football 101 andblanket 147 are attached together, the likelihood of the footballportion of the invention being lost is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 8, when blanket 147 is removed from the interior offootball 101, the blanket can be fully extended and used as a blanketeven though a portion of one side of blanket 147 remains attached tofootball 101 (at attachment edge 153 (see FIG. 7)).

Also as shown in FIG. 8, one or both main surfaces of blanket 147 maycomprise a logo of a sports team, a company, or the like, as shown withlogo 151 on a surface of blanket 147. The logo 151 may be printed,embroidered, sewn, or otherwise applied onto blanket 147 in a mannerwell-known in the art.

One potential use of the second embodiment of the invention describedherein could be, in the event of precipitation, to use football 101(with blanket 147 removed from the interior) as a head covering or hood,with blanket 147 being wrap-able around a user's body.

In some embodiments of the invention described herein, the interiorlining 49 or 149 of football 1 or 101 may be made of a weatherproofmaterial. The blanket 47 or 147 can also have one or both sides linedwith weatherproof material. Thus, if the blanket 147 is attached to thefootball 101, and the football 101 is used as a hood, the weatherproofsurface can be exposed exteriorly and the soft, plush side disposedinteriorly to the user's head. The blanket 147 can also have aweatherproof lining on one side, preferably the same side as that of theinterior lining 149 of the football 101 so that if the football 101 isused as a head covering h the interior lining 49 exposed, theweatherproof lining of the blanket 147 is also exposed to the exteriorthereby creating a hooded cape with a weatherproof exterior.

In the context of the embodiments of the invention described herein,blanket 47 (or 147) serves multiple purposes, including: (1) whenstuffed into the interior of the football, it is a substitute for airthat would typically be used to inflate a football (either directly orthrough an air bladder) so as to provide weight, shape, and rigidity tothe football, and it thus occupies the open space in the interiorportion of the football; (2) when separated from the football, itprovides warmth; and, (3) when separated from the football, it providesa shield from precipitation (and the evacuated football can serve as ahead covering as well).

In addition to the foregoing purposes and uses of the inventiondescribed herein, the invention described herein nay also serve as apromotional product, novelty item, or gift. As described above, theexterior surface of the football may comprise a logo of a sports team orcompany. Similarly, the blanket may also comprise a logo of a sportsteam or company. Accordingly, whether offered as a promotional item by ateam at a sporting event to fans in attendance, or given out by acompany to potential sales representatives, customers, distributors,partners, etc., the invention described herein provides a useful, fun,relatively low-cost means of promoting one's sports team, company, orthe like.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description.They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of theinvention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claimsand the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy, comprising: a. a prolate spheroid shelldefining a major axis, the prolate spheroid shell having opposite distalends and an eccentricity substantially equivalent to that of an Americanfootball, the prolate spheroid shell having a first top panel, a secondtop panel, a first bottom panel, and a second bottom panel, connectedtogether to define a cavity, the first top panel and second top panellaced together via a first longitudinal lace being affixed along atleast a portion of the first top panel, and a second longitudinal lacebeing affixed along at least a portion of the second top panel andadjacent to the first longitudinal lace, wherein a plurality oftransverse cross-laces perpendicular to the first longitudinal lace andthe second longitudinal lace serve to join the first top panel and thesecond top panel, wherein the first and second top panels and the firstand second bottom panels define an outer surface and an interior surfaceopposite the outer surface, the outer surface comprising a soft, pliablematerial, and the interior surface comprising an interior liningfastened to the interior surface and generally^(,) coextensive with theinterior surface, the interior lining comprising a pliable material; b.a zipper spanning substantially from one distal end to the oppositedistal end and connecting the first bottom panel to the second bottompanel; and c. a blanket sized to substantially occupy the cavity definedby the first and second top panels and the first and second bottompanels.
 2. The by of claim 1, wherein when the blanket is stuffed insidethe cavity, the toy looks substantially similar to and weighssubstantially the same as a standard American football.
 3. The toy ofclaim 2, wherein at least a portion of one end of the blanket isconnected to a portion of the interior surface.
 4. The toy of claim 3,wherein the blanket is detachably connected to a portion of the interiorsurface.
 5. The toy of claim 4, wherein the interior surface of theprolate spheroid shell comprises a weatherproof material.
 6. The toy ofclaim 5, wherein one side of the blanket comprises a second weatherproofmaterial.
 7. A toy, comprising: a. a prolate spheroid shell havingopposite distal ends and an eccentricity substantially equivalent tothat of an American football that defines a major axis, the prolatespheroid shell having a first surface and a second surface opposite thefirst surface, the second surface defining a cavity, wherein the prolatespheroid shell comprises a pair of edges that define an opening into thecavity; b. a fastener operatively connected to the pair of edges toclose the opening; c. a longitudinal lace affixed along at least aportion of the first surface; d. a plurality of transverse cross-lacesperpendicular to the longitudinal lace each transverse cross-laceintermittently spaced apart along the longitudinal lace; and e. ablanket sized to substantially occupy the cavity defined by the secondsurface sufficiently to cause the soft, pliable material to be taut. 8.The toy of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of one end of the blanketis connected to a portion of the second surface.
 9. The toy of claim 7,Therein the blanket is detachably connected to a portion of the secondsurface.
 10. The toy of claim 7, wherein the second surface of theprolate spheroid shell comprises a weatherproof material.
 11. The toy ofclaim 7, wherein the first surface comprises a soft, pliable material.12. The toy of claim 11, wherein the soft, pliable material isnon-elastic.
 13. The toy of claim 7, wherein one side of the blanketcomprises a second weatherproof material.
 14. The by of claim 7, whereinwhen the blanket is stuffed inside the cavity, the toy lookssubstantially similar to and weighs substantially the same as a standardAmerican football.
 15. A method for manufacturing a toy in the shape ofa football defining a cavity configured to receive a blanket,comprising: a. connecting a plurality of lens-shaped panels to form aprolate spheroid-shaped shell having an exterior surface and an interiorsurface, wherein the interior surface defines a cavity two lens-shapedpanels define an opening to provide access to the cavity; and b.providing a blanket sized to be stuffed into the cavity, wherein whenthe blanket is stuffed inside the prolate spheroid-shaped shell, theprolate spheroid-shaped shell looks substantially similar to, and weighssubstantially the same as, a standard American football.
 16. The methodof claim 15, further comprising connecting a portion of the blanket to aportion of the prolate spheroid-shaped shell adjacent to the opening.17. The method of claim 15, further comprising connecting a portion ofthe blanket to a portion of the prolate spheroid-shaped shell adjacentto the opening with a detachable fastener.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein the interior surface comprises a lining.
 19. The method of claim18, wherein the lining is weatherproof.
 20. The method of claim 15,wherein one side of the blanket is weatherproof.